DETROIT, MI (AP) — On Saturday, the Detroit Red Wings fired Jeff Blashill, the coach chosen to lead the venerable NHL organization through a lengthy rebuilding process.
Blashill, assistant Doug Houda, and goaltending coach Jeff Salajko’s contracts will not be renewed, according to general manager Steve Yzerman.
Blashill has spent the last seven seasons behind the bench for the Red Wings, who have missed the playoffs for the past six seasons as they transition toward a youth movement. They last made the playoffs in 2015-16, when they were eliminated in the first round
Blashill was selected as Mike
Babcock’s replacement by the previous regime, led by Stanley Cup-winning GM Ken Holland, an obvious choice given his reputation for nurturing young talent. Blashill has been with the organization for 11 years, including one season as an assistant on Babcock’s staff and three as coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.
Blashill led the Red Wings to a 204-261-72 record. That.447 points percentage is the league’s second-worst since then, excluding the expansion Seattle Kraken, which started this season.
Detroit finished 12th in the 16-team Eastern Conference in 2021-22, thanks to youngsters Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. With a new coach in place, the Red Wings may be ready to take the next step toward playoff contention.
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